Ronald Roy Lantagne, age 72, of Gladstone, died Monday, February 27th, 2006 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba after a courageous battle with cancer.
Ron was born July 22nd, 1933 at St. Francis Hospital, the son of Archie and Melina (LaMarche) Lantagne. He was a longtime resident of the Escanaba vicinity, being raised in the Riverland area, and afterwards relocating to the Flat Rock locale. He married the former Joan J. Anderson, July 25th, 1953 and they moved to Gladstone to raise their family. Ron was employed as a welder for Harnischfeger Corp. in Escanaba for 13 years and later became an agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for some 20 years until his retirement.
Ron and his wife, Joan, had also operated an adult foster care home for more than 12 years at their home in Gladstone.
Most of his life, snowmobiling, fishing, golfing, gardening, and hunting were all pastimes he really enjoyed. He was particularly fond of the times he had at the
Anonymous
Dear Lantange Family,
I have only had the pleasure of knowing Ron for about four years. The friendship grew on the Gladstone Golf course. All I can say is “What a super guy” I enjoyed his company tremendously as every one else did. I will remember always his voice and smile. I know he will score a “hole in one” up in Heaven. God Bless, Ron, we will miss you.
Vacation has taken us out of town. My condolences to the Family.
Wally Patterson
Rock, MI
To my Dear Aunt Joan, and my wonderful cousins,Lisa, Ronnie Jo, Brian, Rory and your families.
The passing of Uncle Ron has just been devistating to us all. I was very sure he would win, after all he had us all praying and thinking of him constantly. His battle and strength will be forever an inspiration to us. He did state he would fight but, he cant argue with the man upstairs. God needed him and we couldnt hold on anymore..I just hope you all know he will be forever in our hearts. I can still see him at one of the family wedding years ago.. they got him up on stage to sing Your Cheating Heart. I was very young and was so impressed.. I thought he was just the coolest Uncle! Still do! God bless you all and give you strength..I know first hand how sad this first year will be for everyone.
All our love,
Wendy and Joe Rudolph & family
Mukwonago, WI
Ron and family:
I’m very sorry about your tremendous loss.
Deb Stieve
Gladstone, MI
The family of Ron Lantagne would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every person who wrote a memory tribute, called, gave their time,gifts of food, money and kept our dad and his family in their prayers. Words cannot express the wonderful feeling that all of you have brought to our family in our time of sorrow. I’m sure that dad would have been very humbled just as we were by all of your sincere kindness and generosity.
Thank you Father Arnie and Sister Joanne for all of your kind words and prayers. My dad so loved your visits.
The staff on the second floor at St. Francis were all so kind and loving to dad and all of his family. We will never forget all that you did. God Bless all of You.
Dr. Al Nsour & staff, Dr. Keeker & staff, MGH Home Health all of you were so kind to dad and to us. We will never forget your kind words and loving care of dad.
Thank you Jeff Waeghe and staff of the Skradski funeral home. You did such a great job in our time of need. You made mom feel very special. We will not forget all that you did for us.
Joan, Ron Jr. Bryan, Lisa and Rory
Escanaba, MI
My grandfather was a true example to me of what a man is and how one should live his life. He was a man that demonstrated his character in word and action. He was strong, determined, hardworking and honest. He was equally kind, compassionate, gentle and loving. He made for himself a life that everyone can aspire to. A life centered around his marriage, his family, his friendships and his faith. A life as rich and fulfilling as one could ever hope for. All you had to do was see the way Grandpa and Grandma looked at each other to know that their love was just as strong as the day they were married.
No matter what fears I had, they disappeared when I had a chance to hear his voice, see the light shining in his eyes, and hear his laugh. At a time when everyone else around him was griped by fear and concern, he stood strong and lived by his conviction that he couldn’t be concerned with what was to come, rather he had to live in the present and take things one day at a time. Not only did his courage and positive attitude comfort us, he shared it with everyone he could. He wasn’t a victim of anything. He fought as hard as possible and he showed every one of us that you can’t let fear control you. It’s clear that his fight wasn’t in vain. Anyone who saw his spirit has reason to be inspired by his example.
I think perhaps what I’ll miss the most though are the everyday experiences, how many of which I cannot count. I walked into their house unexpectedly and was met with unconditional and unparalleled love. Within five minutes there was a roast in the oven, mashed potatoes, bread, a salad, you name it. No matter what, you never interrupted them. They always welcomed you with open arms. Nothing was more important to them than spending time with their grandkids.
Jason Lantagne
Gladstone, MI
Dear Lantagne Family,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Lantagne. I know how difficult it is to watch a loved one go through such a difficult illness since I went through it with my mom. Remembering all the good times you had together will help. I will be out of town during the services but just wanted to send my condolences and let you know that I will be thinking and praying for all of you.
Diane (Richards) Amann
Gladstone, MI
Of all the things I am going to miss about my grandpa, I am going to miss his smile the most. His smile lit up the room. That smile told me everything was fine, even when it wasn’t. Even when he was feeling his worst, he never forgot to smile to let us know he was fine. The way he would smile when he heard an embarrasing story about one of the grandkids was priceless. He would smile and chuckle a little bit, but he would give you a wink as to say “It’s okay, we’ve all done something like that before.” His smile showed so much joy, love, compassion, and understanding.
Tom Lantagne
Escanaba, MI
Dear Lantagne Family
Our hearts are with you all. Yours is an amazing and beautiful family, and Ron is a big reason why. May God bless you all.
The Steven Stock Family
Woodland Park, CO
FAMILY Lisa, Dad, Joan, Rory, Brian, Ron jr.
This is how I met Ya,all !! Love Hurts,!! Lot’s of memory’s are going through my heart!!! Mr. Lantagne, alway’s seemed to keep an eye on me, I just knew cuz he gave me that look…..I’ll tell your Mom & Dad !!! He saw me in church!!!! He must have talked to one of them cuz the next thing I knew, I got Life, MET LIFE!!! Time passes by to quickly, I’d see him in the grocrey store and say Hi Ron, Big grin, beautiful eye’s!! Inquisitive look!! My friend’s Dad, became my friend!! Hurts to lose Dad’s & family
Xo xO Xo A.F.A. Mia
Mia (Waeghe) Maki
Gladstone, MI
My family has lived across the street from Ron, well, for as long as I can remember, I moved to Milaukee 10 years ago, and everytime I came home to visit, especially in the summer, Ron would be out in his yard, weeding the garden, or mowing the lawn. He always looked up and waved when I was pulling in. He was always a very nice man and he will be missed.
April Llewellyn
Milwaukee, WI
I was Ron and Joan’s neighbor for about 6 years in Gladstone. I also was friends with one of his granddaughters for a short time. Ron was a wonderful man. I only wish I could have gotten to see him again since moving away. To the entire Langtagne family, my condolence is with you and I am so sorry for your loss.
Jenna (Dubord) Winker
Escanaba, MI
Dear Joan&Family We are very sadden to hear of your loss.We sure are going to miss our nieghbor Ron.He was such a wonderful person to have gotten to known,he always had a smile on his face and always took the time out to say hello, exspeically to our little boy Hunter.Ron was a pleasure to watch out in his yard and the sharing of his garden.He had so much pride in his yardwork And the beauty of it all .The block here on Michigan Ave Will never be the same without him.We will truly miss him.Ron&Joan have been the nicest neighbors anyone could ever ask for.
May God see you all Through this sad time
Greg, Laurie, Roger, Hunter
Gladstone, MI
To Lisa & Family
It’s so very difficult to lose someone that has had such a vital role in your lives. To know that his long, hard battle & suffering is over may provide some comfort but only time, friends & each other’s strengths will really see you through. We’re thinking about you & wishing you better days ahead.
Love,
Bev & Mike Valiquette
Rapid River, MI
We will greatly miss seeing Ron out in his yard. He was an inspiration for everyone that knew him. We were’t close but we will miss him.
Dennis and Lu Naylor
Gladstone, MI
Joan and Family:
I know it is a hard time for all of your family right now in the loss of your Husband, Father, and Grandfather Ron, who was very special to all he knew and the lives he touched.
I got to know Ron, through my parents Dick & Helen Tousignant and my Brothers Tom & Duane, and Sister Diane.
Ron always had something to say and made you laugh no matter what the conversation was about. I enjoyed how Duane would laugh at everything he said and would call him “Mr. Ron”. I bought Duane the “Uno” card game that shoots out the cards because he had so much fun playing with the gang in Biloxi Mississippi last winter.
I know my parents were very close to both of you Joan, and they will deeply miss Ron’s humor and company also. I hope you can find comfort from your friens in your time of sorrow and know that my prayers are with you along with Nicholas & Jennifer and my extended family down her in Wisconsin. They all knew about Ron, because I told them about him and how much fun you all had together.
I wish the whole Lantagne family peace, strength, and hope and with God’s healing hand you will all get through this difficult time together.
Best regards to the Lantagne Family;
Pamela, Nicholas, & Jennifer Mathias
Rich & Rachel Bascom
New Berlin, WI
Uncle Ron always had a smile and a ready joke for everyone. We will never forget the twinkle in his eyes and the fun he brought to family get togethers.
I am especially grateful for all the good years we had with Uncle Ron and I will never forget all the help he gave us from the time I was a baby to other trying times in my life.
Tina & Dave Clark
Gladstone, MI
I’ve known Ron all my life and he will be missed very much. I’ll always remember his wonderful smile and his beautiful singing voice. I can’t imagine hunting camp without him. His Elvis interpretation-“Thank you very much” will never be forgotten, also. Our condolences to Joan, Ron Jr., Brian, Lisa, and Rory.
Your in our prayes.
Ray and Pam Chouinard
Gladstone, MI
Dear Lantagne Family:
Please accept my condolences on Ron’s death. Although he and I have not seen or spoken to each other in over 25 years…I’ll never forget his smile and willingness to always go the extra measure for his family, friends and community.
He was my first business “hero” as I watched him sell Met Life Insurance long before Snoopy ever got involved in the game. Back when he visited every customer, every month, to pick up their premiums; including ours. A lost art as far as doing business is concerned. He was truly a great sales (people)person.
And he also taught me about community service back when I was living in Gladstone. I worked by his side on numerous community projects in the 70’s. The next time you ride by the Gladstone Pavillion, look at the lettering on the north end of the building. He and I put those letters up…way back when. And you know what? We had a great time doing so.
I suspect that when he arrived in heaven his first words to whomever greeted him were “Hello my name is Ron Lantagne. How can I help you?”
Words I’ve emulated often in my own life. Words I learned through the privilege of having known Ron.
Despite our lack of communication over the years, I’m proud to, and always will, call him my friend.
Godspeed Ron. Godspeed.
Edward J. Gillespie
East Lansing, MI
I just wanted to take a few minutes to express how I felt about my grandfather. He was the most extraordinary man that I have ever met in my life. I can’t even begin to explain the amount of things that he has taught me over the past 24 years. The greatest gift that he has given me, besides unconditional love, is extreme strength. I only wish that I will have 1/4 the amount of strength that he had. He had such a love of life and a love for God. I rest easy knowning that he is in God’s arms looking down upon those of us that loved him. I can honestly say that I have the best family in the entire world and there hasn’t been one single day that I haven’t felt loved. And I owe that to both of my grandparents for teaching our family to love and respect each other and showing us every day what love truly is. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life and he will live on in my heart forever.
Angela Lantagne
Escanaba, MI